Patents by Inventor Gregory D. Budz

Gregory D. Budz has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7028860
    Abstract: A dispenser for inter-folded sheet includes a replaceable cartridge. In preferred embodiments, the replaceable cartridge includes a generally planar rectangular core having a stack of inter-folded food service sheets wrapped around the core in a U-shape and retained in position by shrink wrap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Janica S. Behnke, Kathleen R. Rigotti, Katie L. Thomas, Timothy P. Hartjes, Michael R. Kilgore, Gregory D. Budz
  • Patent number: 6908059
    Abstract: A paper towel dispenser dispenses towels from a paper supply and includes a dispenser housing a low-reserve indicator mechanism for indicating when a reserve quantity of the paper supply is low. The dispenser housing has a housing wall structure on which the low-reserve indicator mechanism is affixed. The paper supply has vertically super imposed edge portions which form an outwardly facing vertical side of the paper supply. The low-reserve indicator mechanism includes an indicator mounted for movement between a retracted position and an indicating position for establishing a low-reserve indication detectable from outside of the dispenser house. The indicator mechanism also includes a release mechanism adapted to be spring-biased into contact with the vertical side of the paper supply. The release mechanism is released for movement in response to becoming unsupported by a diminishing height of the vertical side of the paper supply to cause the indicator to move to its indicating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory D. Budz, Thomas N. Kershaw, John R. Moody
  • Patent number: 6892898
    Abstract: A product metering napkin dispenser includes a housing defining a storage magazine for receiving a stack of folded napkins and a metering member that penetrates the stack in order to segregate a predetermined number of napkins from the remainder of the stack for dispensing. Preferred embodiments include gravity feed napkin dispensers. In various embodiments the metering member may include: a pivoting plate cooperating with a hinged trap door support surface; a rotating semicircular disk co-rotating with a support disk; or a reciprocating jaw assembly urging napkins through an aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce T. Boone, Gregory D. Budz, Michael R. Kilgore, Jonathan R. Aumann, James B. Christensen
  • Patent number: 6874653
    Abstract: A product metering napkin dispenser includes a housing defining a storage magazine for receiving a stack of folded napkins and a metering member that penetrates the stack in order to segregate a predetermined number of napkins from the remainder of the stack for dispensing. Preferred embodiments include gravity feed napkin dispensers. In various embodiments the metering member may include: a pivoting plate cooperating with a hinged trap door support surface; a rotating semicircular disk co-rotating with a support disk; or a reciprocating jaw assembly urging napkins through an aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce T. Boone, Gregory D. Budz, Michael R. Kilgore, Jonathan R. Aumann, James B. Christensen
  • Publication number: 20040169047
    Abstract: A dispenser for inter-folded sheet includes a replaceable cartridge. In preferred embodiments, the replaceable cartridge includes a generally planar rectangular core having a stack of inter-folded food service sheets wrapped around the core in a U-shape and retained in position by shrink wrap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Janica S. Behnke, Kathleen R. Rigotti, Katie L. Thomas, Timothy P. Hartjes, Michael R. Kilgore, Gregory D. Budz
  • Patent number: 6752349
    Abstract: A roll support sled is adapted to support a plurality of rolls of absorbent sheet, such as rolls of coreless tissue for mounting in a dispenser of the class including a pair of vertically oriented guide tracks for guiding the roll support sled in vertical motion for sequential dispensing of the rolls. At least one of the guide tracks of the dispenser defines a locking shoulder and the roll support sled includes: first and second spindles, first and second frame rails, one of which is movable, as well as a novel latch dog assembly. The latch dog assembly is inwardly biased and disposed adjacent at least one of the spindles. The latch dog is configured so that it is urged outwardly to a locking position upon disposing a roll of absorbent sheet about its adjacent spindle and is biased inwardly to a release position upon depletion of the roll of absorbent sheet material disposed about its adjacent spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: John R. Moody, Gregory D. Budz, Michael R. Kilgore
  • Publication number: 20040007586
    Abstract: A product metering napkin dispenser includes a housing defining a storage magazine for receiving a stack of folded napkins and a metering member that penetrates the stack in order to segregate a predetermined number of napkins from the remainder of the stack for dispensing. Preferred embodiments include gravity feed napkin dispensers. In various embodiments the metering member may include: a pivoting plate cooperating with a hinged trap door support surface; a rotating semicircular disk co-rotating with a support disk; or a reciprocating jaw assembly urging napkins through an aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventors: Bruce T. Boone, Gregory D. Budz, Michael R. Kilgore, Jonathan R. Aumann, James B. Christensen
  • Patent number: 6622888
    Abstract: A product metering napkin dispenser includes a housing defining a storage magazine for receiving a stack of folded napkins and a metering member that penetrates the stack in order to segregate a predetermined number of napkins from the remainder of the stack for dispensing. Preferred embodiments include gravity feed napkin dispensers. In various embodiments the metering member may include: a pivoting plate cooperating with a hinged trap door support surface; a rotating semicircular disk co-rotating with a support disk; or a reciprocating jaw assembly urging napkins through an aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce T. Boone, Gregory D. Budz, Michael R. Kilgore, Jonathan R. Aumann, James B. Christensen
  • Publication number: 20030164377
    Abstract: A paper towel dispenser dispenses towels from a paper supply and includes a dispenser housing a low-reserve indicator mechanism for indicating when a reserve quantity of the paper supply is low. The dispenser housing has a housing wall structure on which the low-reserve indicator mechanism is affixed. The paper supply has vertically super imposed edge portions which form an outwardly facing vertical side of the paper supply. The low-reserve indicator mechanism includes an indicator mounted for movement between a retracted position and an indicating position for establishing a low-reserve indication detectable from outside of the dispenser house. The indicator mechanism also includes a release mechanism adapted to be spring-biased into contact with the vertical side of the paper supply. The release mechanism is released for movement in response to becoming unsupported by a diminishing height of the vertical side of the paper supply to cause the indicator to move to its indicating position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Applicant: GEORGIA-PACIFIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gregory D. Budz, Thomas N. Kershaw, John R. Moody
  • Publication number: 20030164079
    Abstract: An improved towel dispenser includes a rotatable driveshaft mounted in a one-way clutch bearing fitted with a pinion which engages a vertically oriented press bar assembly including at its lower portion a rack which engages the pinion to advance paper towel through a dispensing nip upon pivotable motion of the press bar assembly. A dispensing chute located below the dispensing nip includes a lower shelf configured to direct web forwardly toward the front portion of a dispenser. The gear rack is preferably an internal gear rack integrally formed with a unitary press bar assembly member. The dispensing chute is configured such that an angle between a cutting-blade and the outer lip of the shelf makes an angle with a vertical of at least about 25°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Inventors: Gregory D. Budz, Michael R. Kilgore, Jonathan R. Aumann, John R. Moody
  • Publication number: 20030146337
    Abstract: A roll support sled is adapted to support a plurality of rolls of absorbent sheet, such as rolls of coreless tissue for mounting in a dispenser of the class including a pair of vertically oriented guide tracks for guiding the roll support sled in vertical motion for sequential dispensing of the rolls. At least one of the guide tracks of the dispenser defines a locking shoulder and the roll support sled includes: first and second spindles, first and second frame rails, one of which is movable, as well as a novel latch dog assembly. The latch dog assembly is inwardly biased and disposed adjacent at least one of the spindles. The latch dog is configured so that it is urged outwardly to a locking position upon disposing a roll of absorbent sheet about its adjacent spindle and is biased inwardly to a release position upon depletion of the roll of absorbent sheet material disposed about its adjacent spindle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: John R. Moody, Gregory D. Budz, Michael R. Kilgore
  • Patent number: 6517025
    Abstract: A paper towel dispenser contains an upright roll of paper towels having an inner periphery from which the towels are dispensed. A low-reserve indicator mechanism is affixed to the housing within the chamber for indicating when a remaining quantity of towels in the roll is low. The indicator mechanism includes a sign mounted for movement between a retracted position and an indicating position for displaying indicia through a transparent portion of the housing when the roll is low. The indicator mechanism also includes a release mechanism supported upon an upper end of the roll and movable downwardly in response to becoming unsupported by a diminishing radial thickness of the roll to cause the indicator to move to its indicating position. The indicator mechanism automatically conforms to rolls of varying height and outer diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory D. Budz
  • Publication number: 20020139813
    Abstract: A product metering napkin dispenser includes a housing defining a storage magazine for receiving a stack of folded napkins and a metering member that penetrates the stack in order to segregate a predetermined number of napkins from the remainder of the stack for dispensing. Preferred embodiments include gravity feed napkin dispensers. In various embodiments the metering member may include: a pivoting plate cooperating with a hinged trap door support surface; a rotating semicircular disk co-rotating with a support disk; or a reciprocating jaw assembly urging napkins through an aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: Bruce T. Boone, Gregory D. Budz, Michael R. Kilgore, Jonathan R. Aumann, James B. Christensen